About Us

The Durham Emergency Management Office (DEMO) is tasked with the responsibility of co-ordinating an effective response to natural and human-caused disasters to ensure the safety of the residents of Durham Region.

DEMO works closely with your area municipalities, as well as Regional departments and volunteer agencies, to a provide planned and co-ordinated response to any emergency or disaster.

What We Do

Emergency Management Program

DEMO designs and implements a full Community Emergency Management Program that encompass plans, exercises, training and public education. This includes:

Conducting and maintaining a hazard analysis for critical infrastructure and vital facilities within Durham Region.

Developing comprehensive emergency plans and implementing procedures consistent with the hazard analysis and local priorities.

Coordinating the off-site response for nuclear-related emergencies at the Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations as the designated [Regional] municipality under the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.

Identifying, organizing, equipping and maintaining Regional emergency facilities, such as the Regional Emergency Operations Centre in the Town of Whitby, the backup facility in the Township of Scugog, reception centres, evacuation centres and emergency worker centres.

Assisting area municipalities in an advisory capacity relating to localized emergencies, unless requested to take the lead role.

Assisting area municipalities in the preparation, evaluation and revision of their local plans to ensure continuity of information and a level of emergency preparedness consistent with Durham Region.

Formulating and co-ordinating training programs for Regional staff and other community response staff with emergency roles.

Designing and conducting exercises to test plans and train staff.

Promoting public education and awareness of emergency response plans, procedures, operations and exercises.